The new Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) charter of 2019 or RA No. 11364 requires cooperatives to be grouped into six (6) clusters. Each CDA board director was designated as Oversight Head for each cluster. This paved the way for the various consultation meetings being conducted nationwide on each cluster.

Last January 6, 2021, a consultation meeting of the cluster on Agriculture, Aquaculture, Farmers, Dairy, and Fisherfolk was conducted at the Don Leopoldo Sison Convention Center in Alaminos City, Pangasinan. Assistant Secretary Kristine Y. Evangelista of DA graced the event, together with Asec. Virgilio R. Lazaga, Asec. Myrla B. Paradillo, Asec. Vidal D. Villanueva III and ED Ray R. Elevazo of CDA served as resource persons and panelists. The consultation meeting’s objectives are to know the issues, problems, and concerns on agriculture and inform participants of the various programs and services of the Department of Agriculture (DA). Around 180 participants from different cooperatives in Pangasinan and La Union attended the meeting observing health protocols. The participants conveyed their issues and concerns regarding agriculture and environment in their respective areas. In reply, the good Asec. Evangelista assured the farmers-cooperatives that the Department of agriculture would bring more projects and programs for the farmers.

The consultation meeting was made possible by the strong leadership of CDA Regional Office 1 Regional Director Josefina B. Bitonio and the supportive LGU of Alaminos City headed by Mayor Arth Bryan C. Celeste (By: Arlenne C. Espinoza, CDS II)